YOU KILL ME

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This low-key mix of black comedy and social satire from director John Dahl dodges stereotypes even as it embraces a well-worn trope about an aging hit man attempting to salvage his life.

Ben Kingsley plays Frank, an alcoholic New York assassin working for his Polish mob family when he blows one job too many by failing to knock off Irish mob boss O'Leary (Denis Farina).

Frank’s family ships him off to San Francisco, sets him up with a funeral parlor job and enrolls him in Alcoholics Anonymous, where his gay AA sponsor Tom (Luke Wilson) takes him under his wing.

Battling repeated drinking relapses, Frank woos corporate winner Tea Leoni and romantic sparks fly in spite of Frank’s disclosure about his real occupation.

"You Kill Me" is about the real difficulties of beating addiction, but Dahl handles the sensitive subject with humor, irony, and zips of action that make it an unexpected delight.

Rated R. 92 mins.